Rusty and Mildred Russell have been ordained ministers since 1974. They were formally in leadership with the Maranatha Christian Churches International from 1974 to 1990. Rusty was one of the International Prophetic Ministers that traveled and held Evangelistic crusades on many campuses and in many churches throughout the many Maranatha Churches worldwide. He was also on the Pastoral Board of Directors and years earlier he was the Vice-president of Maranatha Ministries.

Due to the decentralization of Maranatha Ministries in 1990, they were given the opportunity to begin a new ministry. They felt this new ministry, could better serve Jesus and the Body of Christ, His church, by forming and being part of an Evangelist Association, thus the birth of Miracle Life Ministries, Inc.

Rusty Russell attended Paducah Community College and Western Kentucky University.

In October of 1972, Rusty's sister, Rose Weiner, shared with him about God's desire to heal him of asthma. Through a series of events which followed, Rusty was born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, and healed from asthma.

Rusty attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. He then returned to Paducah, Kentucky to complete his ministerial training with Maranatha Christian Churches.

Rusty served as the co-pastor of the Maranatha Church in Paducah. He then founded and pastored the Maranatha Chapel in Athens, Georgia, for two and a half years. He also helped pioneer the Maranatha Church in Oxford, England for two years.

Rusty ministers in prophetic teaching and counseling and praying for the sick, and he preaches evangelistically. Many people have been born again into the kingdom as a result of his ministry, and many have received physical healings, including healing of deafness, tumors, arthritis, cancer, spinal disorders, blind eyes opened, and healing from many other sicknesses. Jesus still heals today!

Since 1991, Rusty has helped start over 350 churches and train over 50,000 new leaders and won thousands to Christ on his 53 plus short term mission trips to Russia. Twice a year he leads mission teams to Russia.